[Peace] Carolers for Peace kicked out of Lincoln Square

[Danielle Chynoweth]

During the Magic on Main Street festival a few weeks ago, the Carolers for
Peace were one of three entrants and won the "People's Choice" award.  The
festival invited people to come downtown, specifically mentioning Lincoln
Square, Main Street, and the Courthouse as locations for the events.

Since it was about 15 degrees outside, they decided to practice in
Lincoln Square Mall.  The manager of the mall, directed the guard to
ask them to leave.  When questioned why, the guard affirmed that it was
because of the anti-war lyrics.

I told Laurie Bonnett of the Urbana Business Alliance, who sponsored the
event and witnessed the caroling contest, that this happened.  She was
appauled that the carolers received such treatment and told me she would
talk to Tony about it.

I then ran into the owner of the mall, Jim Webster, at a holiday mixer.
We were warmly brainstorming partnership opportunities between the city
and the mall such as a year round farmers market, and more community
events in the mall.  I told him what had happened the the Carolers for
Peace.  I said that I strongly supported the partnership, but only if
we also collaborated on the ground rules for who could and could not be in
the mall.  I told him I would not support city monies going to efforts
where the Mall manager determined who could and could not participate.

The only thing he said in response was "Tony thought it was a protest."  I
told him that 1) it was NOT a protest, but Christmas Caroling and that 2)
protest is legal on city grounds and that I was concerned that if the city
used the mall's space for say a civic center, the same free speech
regulations would need to apply.

I just wanted to let AWARE folks know - especially those mistreated in the
mall - what the follow-up actions were.

It is important that these kinds of things - which may seem small - are
not overlooked.  Over and over in this city, I see the subtle persistent
ways in which minority voices are pushed to the margins.  The main
categories of people I have seen pushed to the margins in this town are
African Americans, youth, queer folk, and peace activists.  It is
important that we assert a space for ourselves and not let things like
this slide.

thanks,
Danielle

-- 
| Danielle Chynoweth
|
| Art Director * OJC Technologies * www.ojctech.com
| City Council Member * Urbana City Council * www.city.urbana.il.us